Pages

August 27, 2014

Severe Violations of Religious Freedom in Iran

Aug 22, 2014

The U.S. State Department has once again
designated Iran a country of particular concern, noting that nearly all
non-Shia religious communities in Iran, as well as some dissident Shia
Iranians, are subject to persecution, ranging from discrimination and
harassment to arrest, torture and execution.

The report cites among many the cases are the
seven Bahia’s leaders serving sentences up twenty years. The seven
members of Sufi orders sentenced to prison terms ranging from seven and a half
to ten and half years. The due process violations in the trial of Sunni
Imam, Molavi , Fatehi, Mohhamad Nagsbandi , and 11 others. The arrest and
sentencing of 80% lashes each before Christion for drinking wine during the
communion service at a house church.

At the release of the report , secretary of state
John Kerry included Iran as he spoke of how government silence members of
religious group with oppressive laws and harsh punishment . He also emphasized
the bravery of those around the globe who despite these threats, persist in
following their consciences at great personal cost.

Their courage goal unremarked but that makes it
all the more remarkable because they put their lives on the line invasive
beating and imprisonment and even death.

In the near
certainty, that their sacrifice will be anonymous. The United States Secretary
Kerry said will continue to support religious freedom for all people
everywhere, and will stand up for religious communities undersold around the
world.